Buchi Babu tournament: TNCA XI has one foot in the semifinal as Sai Kishore completes fifer against Mumbai on day three

Chasing an improbable target of 510, Mumbai was six for no loss at stumps. The home team has one foot in the semifinals, with three points all but sealed from this match (first-innings lead).

TNCA XI’s spinners S. Lakshay Jain and R. Sai Kishore in action against Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Cricket Tournament. | Photo Credit: Periasamy M/ The Hindu

TNCA XI piled on the misery on Mumbai — dismissing the visiting team for 156 in the first innings before going on to score 286 in its second essay — on day three of the Buchi Babu fixture at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground here on Thursday.

Chasing an improbable target of 510, Mumbai was six for no loss at stumps. The home team has one foot in the semifinals, with three points all but sealed from this match (first-innings lead).

Mumbai captain Sarfaraz Khan, who could not bat due to illness on day two, came in at No. 10 alongside Divyansh Saxena (70, 199b, 8x4, 1x6). However, Sai Kishore accounted for them both in no time, completing his five-wicket haul (five for 36) in the process.

There was no respite for Mumbai as the host chose to bat again and had a mammoth 142-run opening wicket partnership between S.R. Athish (57, 113b, 8x4) and S. Lokeshwar (73, 126b, 8x4). Despite tweakers Shams Mulani (four for 73) and Tanush Kotian’s (five for 91) inspired show, Mumbai never got the upper hand as the damage was done in the first innings itself.

Suryakumar Yadav — who had bowled the final over before lunch — did not field in the later part of the innings after suffering a blow to his hand while guarding the slips in the second session.

Miracles do happen in sport and Mumbai will need just that for a win and a place in the next stage.

The scores: TNCA XI 379 & 286 in 79.2 overs (Athish 57, Lokeshwar 73, Mokit 52, Mulani 4/73, Kotian 5/91) vs. Mumbai 156 in 63.2 overs (Divyansh 70, Sai Kishore 5/36) & 6/0 in 2.0 overs.